Monday, March 31, 2014

The only doctor in Buckhorn County, Kentucky,
Sawyer Hudson knows a thing or two about saving lives. But when he
rescues the beautiful Honey Malone from a car wreck and nurses her to
health at his home, he finds himself dreading the day she's well enough
to leave. Because now that he's met the woman of his dreams, he's not
about to let her go….

Morgan

Buckhorn's big, bad
sheriff, Morgan Hudson, wants a wife—one who's even-tempered,
undemanding and content with small-town life. So why can't he stop
thinking about brazen Misty Malone? The dark-haired city girl is
downright aggravating—not to mention she's found herself on the wrong
side of the law. But though she may not be perfect, Morgan is hell-bent
on convincing her they'd be perfect together!

I am not ashamed to admit that I was attracted to this book because of the cover! This was the first book that I've read by Lori Foster but it definitely won't be the last! I fell in love with all of the boys & can't wait to read Jordan and Gabe's stories!

When I downloaded this book from my library I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it contained 2 full stories in 1. I fell in love with Sawyer from the very first page & I loved how all of the brothers interacted. They all had own special place in the family & each brought something to the story. Sawyer & Honey were a match made in heaven and I loved how their relationship progressed! I loved the mystery of trying to figure out who Honey was & who was after her, it provided some excitement to go along with the romance!After I finished Sawyer's story I wasn't really sure how I would feel about the stories featuring the other brothers. In book 1 Sawyer was definitely my favorite but as soon as I read book 2 I fell in love with Morgan & Misty, Honey's sister. Their relationship was complicated & I couldn't wait for them to both realize how much they loved each other & I was not disappointed by the ending! I loved these stories so much that I immediately bought Jordan & Gabe's stories! Be sure to check out the whole series if you are a fan of romance!

Sunday, March 30, 2014

In My Mailbox is a way to
highlight books we've borrowed from the library, bought, received for
review, or received as gifts! In My Mailbox
is a weekly feature that is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.We'd love to hear about any interesting
books you've received this week, so leave us a comment!

This week we received a lot of really interesting looking books & we are excited to read them! We didn't get a chance to head to the library this week, which was a bit of a letdown, but we've still got more than enough books to keep us busy!

NetGalley Books:

Unmasking Juliet by Teri Wilson The Escape by Mary BaloghUndertow by K.R. Conway Fury by Charlotte McConaghy A Girl Called Fearless by Catherine LinkaDark Aemilia by Sally O'Reilly The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson Flirting with Forever by Molly Cannon Fiance By Fate by Jennifer Shirk

Received in Mail:

What We Hide by Marthe Jocelyn Take Back the Skies by Lucy Saxon If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch Remnants of Tomorrow by Kassy Tayler The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer The Summer I Saved the World in 65 Days by Michele Weber HurwitzPush Girl by Chelsie Hill and Jessica LoveBetween Two Worlds by Katherine Kirkpatrick A Volcano Beneath The Snow by Albert Marrin

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Why We Picked It: We read all the other When Honey Got Married books, didn't want to leave one out! Buy it Here: Amazon

Our Rating: 5 stars

A When Honey Got Married... Novella

The
sister of the bride needed a date of convenience and who better than
her hazel-eyed, mysterious co-worker? If only Nina could keep her hands
off his perfect body until she learned his true identity…

I must say that this When Honey Got Married Novella is probably my favorite out of all of them! Nina is spunky & although she left her family feeling like she didn't belong, it becomes clear that her family all love her very much, even if they don't all show it well. Her relationship with Alex, who comes with her to her sister's wedding, has only ever been one of friendship. But it turns out that he has been in love with her for a long time & she is the only one who didn't see it. Sparks fly as they head to the wedding & they both give in to passion that can't be ignored. In my opinion they were perfect together! The perfect ending is when he reveals who he really is and that he wants to marry her!*By the Book Reviews received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We were in no way compensated for featuring it.

At
seventeen, Avaline Hall has already buried her mother, survived a
horrific factory fire, and escaped from an insane asylum. Now she’s on
her way to Blythewood Academy, the elite boarding school in New York’s
mist-shrouded Hudson Valley that her mother attended—and was expelled
from. Though she’s afraid her high society classmates won’t accept a
factory girl in their midst, Ava is desperate to unravel her family’s
murky past, discover the identity of the father she’s never known, and
perhaps finally understand her mother’s abrupt suicide. She’s also on
the hunt for the identity of the mysterious boy who rescued her from the
fire. And she suspects the answers she seeks lie at Blythewood.

But
nothing could have prepared her for the dark secret of what Blythewood
is, and what its students are being trained to do. Haunted by dreams of a
winged boy and pursued by visions of a sinister man who breathes smoke,
Ava isn’t sure if she’s losing her mind or getting closer to the truth.
And the more rigorously Ava digs into the past, the more dangerous her
present becomes.

Vivid and atmospheric, full of mystery and
magic, this romantic page-turner by bestselling author Carol Goodman
tells the story of a world on the brink of change and the girl who is
the catalyst for it all.

This is the first book in awhile that I have spent a good portion of the beginning not knowing what was truly going on. I feel like this book was filled with so many twists & turns and secrets that it constantly kept me on my toes! I thought that all of the girls were great & each one added their own unique personality to the story. Ava was the perfect lead character, she was smart, strong, and determined to find out the true about her mother's time at Blythewood & who her father was. I absolutely love Raven, the Darkling who keeps saving her & I liked Nathan at first, but towards the end I really wasn't a fan. Goodman does a truly phenomenal job weaving a complex story filled with dark secrets & misconceptions. I loved almost everything about this book & can't wait to read more from her! *By the Book Reviews received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We were in no way compensated for featuring it.

When royal duty callsCharged
with the care of the newly orphaned heir to the Kardana throne, nanny
Katrina Vicente finds herself faced with an even more formidable task
working alongside the boy's uncle, the devastatingly handsome Prince
Julian, the prince regent.Desperate to keep the secrets of her past
under lock and key, getting involved with a prince is the last thing
Katrina needs, particularly with the world watching. But it's hard to
ignore their instant chemistry;especially after one stolen kiss! Could
her royal assignment be about to transform into the most magical of
fairy tales?

I loved this book from the very beginning & I'm so glad that I started it when I did because it was exactly what I needed! This book is a sweet, relaxed, & fairly quick read. It's easy to love the characters & I liked that there weren't any huge dramas/issues, besides what Katrina has blown out of proportion in her mind! There really wasn't a character that I didn't like, except Tessa, but she really played a small part in the book, although she had a great impact over the very beginning. Katrina was sweet, willingly to do whatever necessary to take care of Sammy, even if that meant standing up to the royal family. I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a feel-good romance!

The groom proposed
to her eight years earlier, but it was the steamy kiss that Pippa
shared with his brother the night she left town that haunted her
memories. Now she’s back and sharing much more than just kisses.

Bonus story included!

When Honey Got Married...

Nothing was going to ruin Honey’s wedding to the man of her dreams. And she has just the wedding surprise for her beloved groom!

Out of all the When Honey Got Married novella's, this one is without a doubt my favorite! I was a little worried that Pippa might try to stop the wedding, considering the fact that the groom had once proposed to her. I thought it was hilarious how she was sort of thrown together with his brother, who she had always had a thing for. The chemistry between them was burning up the pages!

I was surprised when I got to the end of the story & discovered that there was more! Telling things from Honey's perspective was perfect & I loved the story! It was the icing on the cake!

*By the Book Reviews received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We were in no way compensated for featuring it.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

In My Mailbox is a way to
highlight books we've borrowed from the library, bought, received for
review, or received as gifts! In My Mailbox
is a weekly feature that is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.We'd love to hear about any interesting
books you've received this week, so leave us a comment!

We were lucky enough to buy some great books this week & we found two books on NetGalley that look very intersting!

Books We Bought:
Enlightened by Melissa Lummis The Afterlife Series Boxset by Willow Rose Dollhouse by Anya AllynCamille by Tess Oliver Pretty When She Dies by Rhiannon Frater

NetGalley Finds:
The Mantle of Command by Nigel HamiltonDancing with the Devil by Katie Davis

Hunted
across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina
must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds
starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a
secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The
Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power
and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural
world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the
country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against
Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s
game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will
have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always
thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming
storm.

After finishing Shadow and Bone I was eager to read this book and I was not disappointed! I love how Alina seems to be getting more comfortable with her powers & with her role in what is going on. There were several points in the book where I was worried that Alina was letting this power corrupt her, but she always caught herself before she went too far. I really didn't like Mal in this book, I thought he acted like a complete jerk the entire time & I really wish that Alina would have kicked him to the curb. He was needy & didn't support Alina at all as she adjusted to her new responsibilities.

Just as I feel out of love/like with Mal I feel completely in love with Nikolai. He was funny, strong, & exactly what Alina needed. I feel like they would make the perfect power couple and I think they are a much better match than Mal & Alina could ever be. Honestly, Nikolai alone is reason enough to read the book!

Erotic romance writer
Jenna Brooks lives an ordinary life in a quiet Oregon town, putting her
sensual heart into her fiction rather than her everyday life. Deeply
involved in her latest story about glamorous lovers on the run, she
laughs off a carnival gypsy’s prediction that she’ll find everything she
desires “between the sheets”—apparently those her DeskJet is printing.
Because suddenly, Jenna finds herself drawn into her own stories,
literally. When the seductive, mysterious Riley Stone rescues her from
an attempted hit and run, she’s plunged into a reckless, wild
relationship unlike anything she’s ever experienced—except on paper.

Meanwhile,
Riley is feeling pretty upended himself. A specialist consultant with
the FBI, he’s on a mission to derail a drug king-pin whose wealth and
extensive real estate is managed by Jenna’s neighbor, he’d planned to
ingratiate himself with Jenna just enough to gain access to her
neighbor’s apartment so he can keep a close eye on his comings and
goings. Instead, he finds himself not only drawn to Jenna, but falling
for her, hard. On the heels of this realization comes the discovery that
her new neighbor didn’t move in next door by chance: her father is the
last hold-out against a drug-money fueled billion dollar development
scheme and her neighbor plans to take and hold Jenna hostage until the
necessary papers are signed.

As Riley struggles to keep Jenna
safe, the romance they’ve woven could force them to pay the ultimate
price: admitting they’ve fallen in love—for real

There were some things about this book that I really liked & some things that I really didn't like. Ithought that the storyline was interesting & it held my attention, however I thought that some of the interactions between Jenna and Riley were lacking. Their romance seemed to progress at lightning speed & I HATED her constant comparison to the novels she had written/was in the process of writing. And the fact that he kept using lines from her books? Cheesy. Fortunately, the storyline somewhat saved it for me. I don't think I'd buy this book tho..

*By the Book Reviews received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We were in no way compensated for featuring it.

Sheikh
Sayed of Zeena Sarha and his harem of beautiful women are staying at
the exclusive, opulent Chatsfield Hotel, London, for the last stop on
his worldwide tour before his wedding. But when his engagement is
unceremoniously broken, Sayed sets his sights on his sexy chambermaid!

Liyah
Amari only took the position as chambermaid to find the truth about her
birth father. But her search ends in heartache, leaving Liyah
vulnerable to this powerful sheikh's desires. Now their one night of
passion could result in a scandalous consequence for the proud Sheikh!

Welcome to The Chatsfield, London!

First off, the cover is stunning & is sure to grab your attention! Second, the story is a sweet romance (although it has some cheesy parts) that is easy to escape into. When Sayed and Liyah first met the chemistry that they shared surprised them both. After discovering that his fiance ran off and got married to someone else, Sayed heads to her suite, where he knows there is alcohol. He is shocked to find Liyah there, already drunk, devastated after learning that her mother had lied to her for years. The two give in to temptation, only to discover the next morning that Liyah very well may be pregnant. Without offering her a choice, Sayed sweeps her off to his home & it is there that things start to change for the two of them.

Although some of the scenes were very cheesy I couldn't help but enjoy the story. This modern day fairy tale is sure to have you swept up in its romance!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

When we read Red by Alison Cherry we feel in love with it! The storyline was unique and it kept us hooked. We were very excited to get a chance to ask author Alison Cherry a few questions (we especially loved her inspiration for Red!) Here is what she had to say:

BTB: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer? What would you be doing if you weren't writing?

I've always loved to write, but I never
considered writing a novel until 2007. My first roommate in New York
worked at a literary agency, and when she started bringing YA books home
from the office, I discovered that YA literature had undergone
an incredible transformation since I was a teen. The contemporary YA
voice really resonated with me, and it suddenly occurred to me that some
of my own teenage experiences might make a great novel. (Spoiler alert:
they actually didn't. But working on that
first rambly, overwritten manuscript for three years taught me a lot
about how not to write a book, and that's what made RED possible!)

My college degree is in photography, so that's
definitely what I'd be doing if I weren't writing. In fact, that's what I
was doing until a couple years ago—my most recent day job was as a
photographer for the Metropolitan Opera's technical
department. That involved photographing all the behind-the-scenes
stuff—dress rehearsals, lighting cues, costumes, how set pieces went
together, etc. It was a fascinating place to work, and I got to see a
lot of incredibly weird stuff, all of which I plan
to incorporate into books someday.

BTB: What inspired you to write Red?

The idea first came to me when I read an
article about how redheads were likely to disappear in the next hundred
years because our genes are so recessive. Fortunately, the article
turned out to be a hoax perpetuated by a hair-dye company,
but it got me thinking about what would happen if redheads really WERE
an endangered species. Would people create redhead sanctuaries to try
and save us the same way they try to save wolves and pandas? And what
might one of those communities look like from
the inside?

BTB:Which of the characters in Red do you identify with the most?

Despite my red hair, I'm probably the most
like Jonathan, aside from his maleness, his painting talent, and his
extreme hotness in a tuxedo! I was pretty quiet and focused on art in
high school, and I did originally have plans to go to
art school, though that's not what I ended up doing. Jonathan's the
kind of person who hangs out on the sidelines, ready to be helpful if
he's needed and quietly waiting for someone to notice him. He's pretty
bad at being assertive, but if you stick around
long enough for him to open up, he'll be super loyal to you. I think he
might've gotten along well with teenage me.

BTB: Were there specific songs or a playlist you listened to when writing Red?

I wish I were one of those people who has a
playlist for every project, but the truth is that I don't listen to
music while I write. Having other people's words in my head while I'm
trying to form my own is extremely distracting!

BTB: What book (or books) can you read over and over again?

My go-to rereads are I CAPTURE THE CASTLE by
Dodie Smith, THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Annie
Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer, WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead, GONE
WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell, and the Harry
Potter books, especially 3 and 6!

BTB: If you could become a character in any book, who would it be and why?

I'd choose to be the title character from
GWINNA by Barbara Berger, which was my very favorite book as a kid. She
can play the harp, talk to owls, and fly, and I'd get to keep my red
hair.

BTB: What are you currently working on?

My next book, FOR REAL, comes out on December 9th! It's about a pair of sisters who go on an
Amazing-Race-esque reality show to take revenge on a cheating
ex-boyfriend. My work in progress is middle grade, but I can't say much
about it except that it involves a group of really strange old ladies
who are
ridiculously fun to write!

Felicity St. John has it
all—loyal best friends, a hot guy, and artistic talent. And she’s right
on track to win the Miss Scarlet pageant. Her perfect life is possible
because of just one thing: her long, wavy, coppery red hair.

Having
red hair is all that matters in Scarletville. Redheads hold all the
power—and everybody knows it. That’s why Felicity is scared down to her
roots when she receives an anonymous note:

I know your secret.

Because
Felicity is a big fake. Her hair color comes straight out of a bottle.
And if anyone discovered the truth, she’d be a social outcast faster
than she could say "strawberry blond." Her mother would disown her, her
friends would shun her, and her boyfriend would dump her. And forget
about winning that pageant crown and the prize money that comes with
it—money that would allow her to fulfill her dream of going to art
school.

Felicity isn’t about to let someone blackmail her life away. But just how far is she willing to go to protect her red cred?

I was drawn to this book because of the cover but I got so busy that it has been sitting on my TBR pile for way too long. I have actually dyed my hair the same color as the main girl on the cover & I LOVED being a redhead!

When I first started the book I wasn't sure I would like it & I will admit it took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did I was hooked! The concept for the book was different than anything I've ever read & I really love how Cherry took the time to integrate such important topics such as discrimination & prejudice.

As for the characters, there were several that I loved & a lot that I didn't...I thought that Cherry wrote Felicity very well. She started out just like the majority, clearly seeing being a red head as being superior. She didn't even have any non-redhead friends! But as she was blackmailed you see her character start to change & see her start to realize how live in the town really is for non-redheads. In the end she finally decides to be herself, regardless of the consequences. In regards to her two best friends, Haylie & Ivy, my opinions of the two couldn't be more different. I loved Ivy, she was down to earth & there for her friend through it all, even after Felicity's surprising announcement. Haylie on the other hand is a terrible friend & she abandons Felicity when she really needs her the most. I feel like she was shallow, superficial, & showcased everything that was wrong with the town.

Gabby, Felicity's blackmailer, may have had good intentions about the message she was trying to get out to the town (which she couldn't do herself since she was a brunette). However the fact that she was destroying Felicity's live, when Felicity had never done anything to her, really made me angry. The only character I disliked more than Gabby was Felicity's own mother. The woman didn't care at all what her daughter actually wanted. She spent Felicity's entire life pushing her agenda on her & making her feel guilty any time she wanted to deviate from the plan. As a mother myself, this type of parenting makes me crazy.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book & found it easy to become hooked on the storyline. I found myself going through a range of emotions while reading, which I love! I would definitely recommend it!

*By the Book Reviews received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We were in no way compensated for featuring it.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

In My Mailbox is a way to
highlight books we've borrowed from the library, bought, received for
review, or received as gifts! In My Mailbox
is a weekly feature that is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.We'd love to hear about any interesting
books you've received this week, so leave us a comment!

Books for ReviewRemnants of Tomorrow by Kassy TaylerThe Chapel Wars by Lindsey LeavittMara by Veronica BaneClose Pursuit by Cindy DeesForever by Maggie Stiefvater

eGalley Books
The BIllion Dollar Bad Boy by Jackie Ashenden The Billionaire Biker by Jackie Ashenden Hidden Like Anne Frank by Marcel Prins & Peter Henk Steenhuis How to Fall by Jane Casey The Midnight Witch by Paula BrackstonDeliver Me by Kate Jarvik Birch Amity by Micol Ostow Fortune's Prince by Allison Leigh Scars of Betrayal by Sophia James A Man's Promise by Brenda Jackson Get Happy by Mary Amato Pretty Reckless by Jodi Linton Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson Hard to Handle by Jessica Lemmon Risky Return by Nicole Helm Small Town Redemption by Beth Andrews

A
wedding planner should never mix business and pleasure, but Grace
couldn’t resist breaking rule number one for a hot night with her high
school crush!I have to start by saying I loved this book a LOT more than Eve Met Her Match, another When Honey Got Married novella (but by a different author). Honestly, the writing & storylines were so different I wouldn't have guessed they were connected (if not for the appearance of Honey in both of them! This book takes place at the end of the wedding planning stage & Grace deals with putting the finishing touches on Honey's wedding while fighting her feelings for her high school crush, who happens to be the caterer & the owner of the wedding location site. It is a cute, quick read that I enjoyed!

*By the Book Reviews received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We were in no way compensated for featuring it.

To avenge his mother's
mistreatment at the hands of her upper-crust employer, self-made real
estate tycoon Marcus Pearson needs entree into their exclusive world.
When D.C. socialite Pamela Harrington comes to him for help, Marcus
realizes the golden admission ticket he's been seeking has suddenly
fallen into his lap.

Pamela will do anything to save her favorite
cause, even agree to a marriage of convenience. The altruistic
"it-girl" isn't worried about the pretend passion with Marcus turning
real; she's sworn off powerful, driven men who use her for her family's
connections.

So she'll deny the way her pulse races with one look
from his crystalline blue eyes. And he'll ignore the way his body
throbs with each kiss from her full lips. Because there's no way he'll
lose his blue-collar heart to the blue-blooded beauty.

Winter always puts me in the mood for a good romance & this one is sweet & sexy enough to warm you right up! One of my favorite things about this book was how the author really took the time to discuss how the Upper Class/Elite actually worked & how they interacted with those deemed beneath them, class-wise. Social class interactions is something that I really enjoyed studying during the Sociology classes I took in college, so to me it added something interesting to the book. I love how the author even went as far as pointing out the issues between "old money" & "new money" & how her two main characters were determined not to let the preconceived notions of D.C. society stand in the way of what they wanted. Pamela & Marcus started out rough but I was happy to see that they both were willing to take their relationship further. At least they were until a business decision got in the way. Will they both be able to get what they want & be together? Or will business come at too high of a cost? You'll have to read it to find out!

*By the Book Reviews received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We were in no way compensated for featuring it.

Eve
hoped to make one last play for the groom-who-got-away…but instead the
down-on-her-romantic-luck actress instead found herself in dark corners
with his successful, seductive cousin.

I have to be honest, there really wasn't much that I liked about this book. Eve goes to the wedding of her friends, planning to convince the groom not to get married based on the fact that they shared one kiss, years earlier. Thankfully his cousin stops her & they end up hooking up at the wedding. I felt bad for the bride, Honey, because I got the feeling her groom is not a one-woman man. To be brutally honest, my favorite part of this book was when it was over.

*By the Book Reviews received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We were in no way compensated for featuring it.

Waitress
Darcy Penn is the smart, sensible type—flirting with the extremely cute
guy in the bar just isn't her usual style. As for ending up in his
hotel room? Definitely not! Sneaking out while he's in the bathroom to
avoid the post-sex awkwardness? Much more like it .

If Darcy had
stuck around, Jeff Norton could have told her about their "epic latex
fail." So he shouldn't be quite so shocked when months later, Darcy
turns up at his classy L.A. office and throws up in his wastepaper
basket. She's got a bad case of morning sickness, and she's here to find
out what he's going to do about it!Cute & quick read. I like how it jumped back in time a bit and fully told the story of how the couple met. Darcy very clearly has trust issues & is determined to be independent. I thought that was great, but I wish she would have learned to trust Jeff sooner & had been honest with him about her feelings. Jeff doesn't seem to know what he wants or how to express his feelings. He keeps trying to control the situation and get Darcy to cave and do what he wants her to do, and for the most part she does, so its easy to see why he continues to do it. The characters were both very likeable. I wish there had been more drama with the Jeff/Olivia relationship, but other than that I didn't have any issues with the book. It is definitely one to check out if you are in the mood for love!

Sparks fly when a
project brings a heartbreaker back to town and into the path of the
woman he left behind. He’s determined to win her over in the boardroom …
and the bedroom!

Jake & Annabelle used to be high school sweethearts, until he dumped her on graduation night & left without so much as a wave. Now Jake is back in town & it turns out he needs Annabelle's help in order to secure a major project. When they come face to face for the first time, Annabelle is on a date from hell & Jake is trying to get several influential men on his side for his project. Everything that follows is a mix of sweet,sexy, and fun. I have a love-hate relationship with novella's in general. I usually get so engrossed in the story & characters that I feel like a novella isn't long enough or detailed enough to really tell a great story. This story started out really great & I loved Annabelle and Jake from the beginning. I thought it was obvious what a perfect match they were. The book was going great until about half way through, when things seemed to feel a bit rushed, something I was not a fan of. I would still suggest it tho, if you are looking for a quick & cute romance!

*By the Book Reviews received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We were in no way compensated for featuring it.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

In My Mailbox is a way to
highlight books we've borrowed from the library, bought, received for
review, or received as gifts! In My Mailbox
is a weekly feature that is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.We'd love to hear about any interesting
books you've received this week, so leave us a comment!

Unfortunately we had a disaster with our mailbox this week, so the post office has been holding our mail. It was such a busy we that we didn't have a chance to pick it up after Monday, so we aren't sure what books (if any) we received in the mail besides one that we got Monday. But we will be posting any books that we received via mail next Sunday! We did make a few purchases & got some great eGalley's from some publishers via NetGalley!

Received for Review

Nearly Gone by Elle Cosimano

eGalley's via NetGalley

Syphon's Song by Anise RaeBettan Than Perfect by Kristina MathewsPretty in Ink by Lindsey Palmer Love Charms: A Paranormal Romance Boxed SetFor All Time by Jude Deveraux The Boleyn Reckoning by Laura Andersen After the Scandal by Elizabeth EssexA June Bride by Marybeth Whalen A Heart's Rebellion by Ruth Axtell The Dream Dress by Janice Thompson Shadows of the Past by Patricia Bradley In the Shadow of Jezebel by Mesu AndrewsAsh and Bone by Lisa von BielaPassionate Persuasion by Rosemary Clement-MooreCrash Into Love by Sofia GreyUp in Flames by Lori Foster The Burlington Manor Affair by Saskia WalkerAdaptation by Malinda Lo

Purchased

Deep Thoughts from a Hollywood Blonde by Jennie Garth (We got to meet her & get it autographed!) A Seal's Surrender by Tawny WeberHeiress Without A Cause by Sara Ramsey Beauty and the Best Man by Maureen ChildVengeful in Love by Nadia LeeForbidden by Amy Miles

Oil magnate Sakis
Pantelides always gets what he wants—after all, he's drop-dead gorgeous,
powerful and wealthy beyond words. But the one thing he can't have is
his stunning assistant, Brianna Moneypenny—because she's the only woman
this cynical Greek can trust.

But when an international crisis
throws them together 24/7, intriguingly buttoned-up Brianna reveals a
sensual hunger that rivals his own, and he realizes just what he's been
denying himself for so long. But when his perfect PA's secret is
discovered, will he pay the price for taking what he wants?I was excited when I saw this book was available on NetGalley & downloaded it right away!In the beginning it seemed like the typical romance but there is more underneath the surface, that helps to pull the reader in. Brianna isn't what she seems, but her feelings for Sakis are completely real. I didn't really like how Sakis responded when he found out her secrets, but you can't really blame him for thinking the worst! The story as a whole was well written and I have to say I really enjoy this author!

When
word that Yelena is a Soulfinder—able to capture and release
souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's
unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates
Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising
against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated
before....

Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits
of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her
onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be
assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one
chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear.

I found myself completely captivated by this book, just like I was with the first two in the series. I loved the first two books so much that I was sure that I would like the third book less. It surely couldn't be possible to be so completely in love with a story, right? Wrong! I found myself staying up until 1:00 in the morning to finish this book, because I could not put it down. Snyder does a phenomenal job of weaving a story that is exciting & heart wrenching. Her characters are all pure perfection, each one contributing to the story in a unique way.

In this book Yelena still struggles to figure out what it means to be a Soulfinder. She is sure that she will be corrupted by power if she learns more or uses her powers more. She spends most of the book refusing to truly embrace her powers, most of which she is still clueless about. When she finally does give in to her powers she discovers that she isn't what she thought she was & that her powers are meant for much more than she imaged. Through her journey to save Sitia & the council she is added by many, but it is clear that she is the leader. I love how everyone had so much faith in her, more faith than she had in herself, and were all willing to do anything that she asked of them. I love how her relationship with her brother, Leif, has really turned into a typical brother-sister relationship. Moon Man continues to guide her, being as cryptic as ever & I love their banter! Ari & Janco are back again, this time they have earned the titles of Valek's seconds in command. The always had some humor to the story & I love their devotion to Yelena. And then we have Valek...oh Valek. I love him & the way he always seems to be their when Yelena needs him the most. They are a perfect match & I'm so glad that Snyder put them together!I didn't touch on any of the bad guys, mostly because I don't want to give too much away. I will say that there are a few surprises in regards to people switching their allegiances. The villains in this book are much more powerful than in the other two books & some of you may be surprised by the mastermind of the whole thing. I will say, I was pretty proud of myself because I had the mastermind identified from the very beginning. There were so many amazing aspects of this book that I can't even beginning to include them all here, without turning this review into a book itself! Snyder is the master Story Weaver, telling a fast paced story with exciting twists and turns sure to keep you completely hooked & leave you wanting more!

It
should never have happened—the night of forbidden magic that turned
Lani Vasquez and Prince Maximilian Bravo-Calabretti into lovers. After
all, Lani knew all too well that an affair between a lowly nanny and the
heir to the throne could only end in heartbreak—her own. Which was why
she had to end it before she lost her herself completely…

His
New Year's Eve with Lani had rocked Max's world—and now the Texas beauty
wanted to be just friends? The single father had sworn he'd never marry
again, but Lani had charmed his children and awakened his guarded
heart. Will the prince catch his Cinderella before the clock strikes
midnight?

First I have to say that I read the e-book (which I received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review). I didn't see the cover until after I have finished the book & went to write my review. I have to say I'm not a big fan of it, mostly because the characters are nothing like what I had pictured while I was reading. Aside from the cover I thought that the store was very cute, even though it was a little predictable. Although, the things that Lani reveals about her past were not at all what I had been expecting, which I think really added some depth to her character. As much as I really liked Lani's character, I didn't really like Max. I thought he was much too typical & the secret he shares about his ex-wife were too predictable. Besides Max, I liked everything else about the book & enjoyed reading it.

*By the Book Reviews received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We were in no way compensated for featuring it.

Booth Harrison has made a
habit of getting what he wants, be it a new addition to the Harrison
media empire, or a better relationship with his half-brother. But
meeting his brother’s new sister-in-law, Camryn McBride, poses a new
challenge. The savvy CFO of McBride Media has a brain he wants to
pick…and a body he needs to claim.

Camyrn has spent the past few
years helping to rebuild her family’s magazine company, focusing on that
rather than her disastrous personal life. But when Booth Harrison
invites her to be the keynote speaker at a sales conference in Hawaii,
she’s tempted to combine business with pleasure.

But meeting the billionaire’s demands won’t be easy, because someone doesn’t want a merger between them to happen.

This book was not at all what I was expecting based on the title or the cover. There really weren't many "demands" that were brought up, except for Camryn to have some fun. Camryn & Booth's initial flirtations were cute, but her constantly turning him down got annoying, especially when the reader knew that they'd end up together. Sometimes the chase is exciting & fun, this time it failed to be either one. I did, however, like the business drama that was thrown inas well as the issues with Booth's asshole father.

When it comes to the romance department, this book was definitely steamy, with details that I thought were a little too detailed & they came off as seeming cheap to me. Overall I was just not a fan.

*By the Book Reviews received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. We were in no way compensated for featuring it.

There was something
about Ellie... Something dangerous. Charismatic. Broken. Jake looked out
for her. Sarah followed her lead. And Jess kept her distance, and kept
watch.

Now Ellie’s dead, and Jake, Sarah, and Jess are left to
pick up the pieces. All they have are 34 clues she left behind. 34
strips of paper hidden in a box beneath her bed. 34 secrets of a brief
and painful life.

Jake, Sarah, and Jess all feel responsible for
what happened to Ellie, and all three have secrets of their own. As they
begin to confront the darkest truths about themselves, they will also
find out what Ellie herself had been hiding all along...

When Ellie died she left a mess behind her. Her best friend Sarah, who was with her when she overdosed, is a complete mess. She doesn't leave the house, she barely speaks to anyone & she doesn't want to live anymore. She feels guilty about what happened that night but she also wonders about some of the secrets that Ellie had been keeping...

Jess, Sarah's little sister, is unable to truly show how much she misses Ellie because no one knows how close the two of them had started to get before Ellie died. No one knows that Jess was really starting to fall for Ellie. Jake, Ellie's older brother, always promised he would be there for her but when she really needed him the most he wasn't around. He carries that guilt with him, along with several other secrets. He can't even bring himself to talk to Sarah, who he has always had feelings for.

This book was not what I was expecting. It was told from three perspectives: Sarah, Jess, & Jake. I felt that the writing was very well done, with good transitions from person to person. I was surprised by how dark this book was, but it was necessary in order to be realistic & address so many issues. I really enjoyed this book & I'd definitely recommend it, but be prepared, its not a light read.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

We are very excited to be featuring our first In My Mailbox! We've always loved checking out In My Mailbox posts on other book blogger sites so we decided that we'd give it a try too! In My Mailbox is a weekly thing that is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.

In my mailbox is a way to
highlight books we've borrowed from the library, bought, received for review, or received as gifts! We'd love to hear about any interesting books you've received this week, so leave us a comment!

This week has been a great week of books for us! We've bought, borrowed, and received some awesome books that we can't wait to start reading! We'd love to hear if you've received or read any of the books!

Received for Review

Brazen by Katherine Longshore
Dangerous by Shannon Hale
Love an Chaos by Gemma Burgess
Bright Before Sunrise by Tiffany Schmidt
The Force by Alexandra Swann, Joyce Swann, & Stefan Swann
Insanity by Susan Vaught
The Divergent Companion by Lois H Gresh
The Living by Matt de la Pena
The Mirk and Midnight Hour by Jane Nickerson
Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski
Kissing in Italian by Lauren Henderson
Never Ending by Martyn Bedford

eGalleys

Talk Dirty to Me by Dakota CassidyThe Texan's Baby by Donna AlwardDead Silent by Sharon Jones The Right Side of Mr Wrong by Jane LinfootBlue Gold by Elizabeth StewartThe Adventures of Jillian SpectreThe Midwife by Jolina Petersheim Distortion by Terri Blackstock The Wedding Hazard by Regina DukeIrresistible Enemy by Mary CostelloThe Here and Now by Ann Brashares First Impressions by Pauline Creeden